Nectarine tree named &#34;Nectapi&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectapi’, has fruits of very long shelf life withour alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high-eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2008/0581 filed on Mar. 17, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Nectapi’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Prunus persica var. nucipersica yellow nectarine tree, which has been given the denomination ‘Nectapi’. This tree, named ‘Nectapi’, produces clingstone fruits of good eating quality for fresh market in early September in the 66—Pyrénées-Orientales departement—France. Contrast is made to ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,580), ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented) and ‘Maillarboom’ (Big Boum®) (non-patented) yellow nectarine trees, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘Nectapi’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an evenness of maturity, and produces regular fruits in large quantity and with a high productivity. It was chosen because of its hardiness and fruit lifetime before and after harvest, and because of its aromatic semi sweet taste.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Nectapi’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the 66—Pyrénées-Orientales departement—France where it was tested. This place is under a Mediterranean climate in a temperate area characterized by irregular and low precipitation with drought in summer, high temperatures all year long. The ‘Nectapi’ variety was obtained by seedling. The male parent was ‘Maillarboom’ (Big Boum®) (non-patented) yellow nectarine tree and the female parent was ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented) yellow nectarine tree. ‘Nectapi’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, as 03.22.128 NJ and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 14, 2007 under number 1024465. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock tree. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it generally blooms between March 7^(th) and March 20^(th), approximately 2 to 4 days after ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580).

The first fruit of ‘Nectapi’ ripens in early September, 2 to 3 days after ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580). More particularly, it approximately ripens between September 1^(st) and September 10^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical fruit specimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows leaves of the new variety and three whole fruits sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment, and a fourth fruit cut in half with the pit left in one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition.

Trees are vigorous and of medium stature, half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of the flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins semi-early in springtime. The type of flower is showy with medium to large pink petals. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is late. The fruit flesh is yellow with red pigmentation around the stone cavity. Fruit skin color features an homogeneous bright red blush. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

The ‘Nectapi’ variety blooms approximately 2 to 4 days after ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580) and has only approximately 35 flowers per meter instead of about 45 to 50 for ‘Nectalady’. The first fruit of ‘Nectapi’ ripens 2 to 3 days after ‘Nectalady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,580). ‘Nectapi’ fruits are bigger than ‘Nectalady’ fruits and their skin appear to be clearly more resistant to damages at harvest stage, particularly when harvest weather is rainy.

The new variety male parent, which is ‘Maillarboom’ (Big Boum®) (non-patented), comparatively ripens 5 weeks earlier than the new variety. It was chosen as a genitor because of the interesting size of its fruits, the very aromatic taste of its fruits and their conservation qualities. ‘Maillarboom’ pollen was quantitively insufficient and of lesser quality than the new variety pollen.

The new variety female parent, which is ‘Maillardou’ (Bonbon®) (non-patented), comparatively ripens approximately at the same time than the new variety. ‘Maillardou’ produces fruits of medium size but very tasty, thus rendering this variety interesting as a genitor. ‘Maillardou’ trees also have more flowers than the new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following was observed during the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented) tree. More particularly, observations relative to tree, trunk, branches, leaves and fruit were done in August 2007 and August 2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growing season. Observations relative to flowers were done in March 2007 and March 2008 on trees in their fourth and fifth growing season. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree: -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 80 cm. The             tree size from the second year (second and next years)             reached a final height of 330 cm with current season shoots             length comprised.         -   Spread.—Approximately 150 to 200 cm with a cylindrical             shape. The whole orchard was oriented to a central leader             organization, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees             spaced of 1.0 meter in a same tree line. As a result, the             orchard contains 2500 trees by hectare.         -   Vigour.—Considered average to vigorous (Trees height ranges             from 200 cm to 280 cm).         -   Productivity.—Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop remaining fruit sinto the desired market             sized fruit. The number of fruits varies with the prevailing             climatic conditions, and cultural practices employed during             the bloom period, and is therefore not distinctive of the             present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. Trees have to be thinned every year.         -   Form.—The ‘Nectapi’ variety has naturally a semi-spread to             semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appeared to be hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 and 1200 hours showed a             good behavior of the tree in all cases. Ascertained             temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius caused no damages             to the tree. The tree was also very resistant to frosty             springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 9.0 and 10.0 cm in diameter             when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm above the             soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered rough.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels             range in size from approximately 0.3 to 0.7 cm in width, and             from 0.15 to 0.28 cm in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (varying from RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D),             whereas the inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange             166 B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color (varying             from RHS Grey 201 C to RHS Black 202 C) -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches are medium to thick for the variety             and current season shoots are of medium size.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 8.0             millimeters, and branches of trees have a diameter comprised             between 25.0 and 35.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, several years old wood has no             furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 60 and 70 degrees             from the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is             not considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 to 32.0 millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199             A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light             yellow green (varying from RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS             Yellow Green 144 B) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas             the upper part is colored in orange brown (varying from RHS             Greyed Orange 173 B to RHS Greyed Orange 173 C). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season             growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width ranges from 3,4 to 4,5 with a mean around             4,10.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 180 to 202 millimeters with             petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 37 to 54 millimeters         -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Small and acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C).         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one             or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered of medium to long size.         -   Length.—Between 10.0 and 12.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Number.—3 to 6 glands can be found on the leaf, although 4             glands are most generally observed.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             pale green (RHS Green 144 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers: -   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is             generally of pale pink color (varying from RHS Red Purple 65             B to RHS Red Purple 69C). Petals color shows an evolution             until the end of flowering. The buds are considered hardy             under typical central Pyrénées-Orientales departement             climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury was noted during the last             several years of evaluation in the central Pyrénées             Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as low as             −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not             been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but             the variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to             temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an average             temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks             in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally early March. The first bloom was             observed on March 11, 2003.         -   Blooming time.—Considered of middle season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed on March, more particularly between             March 7^(th) and March 20^(th). The date of bloom varies             slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately between 13 and 14 days.             This characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing             climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have showy type             flowers.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately between 34.0 to 38.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, about 35 flowers per             meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium to large for the species.         -   Length.—Generally about 21.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Rounded.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Light Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B to C) to Medium             Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to C), slightly darkening with             senescence.         -   Fragrance.—Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slighty rounded extremity.         -   Length.—Approximately between 6.0 and 8.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally slightly undulated. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices have a large dome-shaped form. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long and having an average length             of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B to C). -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—A flat golden orange (approximately RHS Greyed Red             178 C to D). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Generally medium.         -   Color.—A Brown Purple (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to B).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—About 40 stamens per             flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Small in length.         -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed             Purple 178 A). Anthers are becoming yellow at maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The             present variety is considered self fruitful             (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 17.0             millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally             superior or equal to pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered light to medium pink (varying from RHS Red             Purple 62 C-D to Red Purple 73 A-B). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Medium in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 16.0 to 20.0 millimeters including the             ovary; Generally smaller or equal to filament's length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow             Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a glabrous pistil. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Sep. 1,2004. The picking generally             occurs between September 1^(st) and September 10^(th). The             date of harvest varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 12, 2004 only 2 harvests in 10             days were necessary. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 78.0 millimeters         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 75.0 millimeters         -   Typical weight.—Approximately between 200.0 and 280.0 grams.             This characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from pistil end.         -   Fruit suture.—Very shallow and smooth, extending from the             base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists             along the suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the whole fruit             color, a bright red (RHS Red 53 A to B). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non-prominent, slightly depressed, very small.         -   Base.—Shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about             1.0 cm. Average width is about 2.0 cm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and very             tenacious to the flesh to tenacious to the flesh depending             on stage of maturity.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is generally a bright red (RHS             Red 53 A to B) covering 90% to 100% of the fruit skin             surface.         -   Ground color.—Orange-Red (RHS Orange Red N 34 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 11.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, long shelf-life of the             fruit.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity             stage.         -   Fibers.—No fibers.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is generally             superior to 13.0 degrees. Acidity is comprised between 6 and             9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered aromatic. The flesh             is juicy.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree, the prevailing cultural practices and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Generally Yellow (RHS Yellow 13 C to B) with a             star-shaped red pigmentation around the stone (RHS Red 53             A). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.         -   Length.—Approximately 35.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 27.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 23.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small sharp tip.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form             and dimensions corresponding to stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.5 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The dry stone is generally orange-brown (RHS             Greyed Orange 176 D) to red-brown (RHS Greyed Red 178 B).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—About 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 14.5 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—About 6.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light yellow-orange (RHS Yellow             Orange 16 D). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange Chite             159 D). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘Nectapi’ is considered to be a             nectarine tree of the middle to late season of maturity, and             which produces fruits that are considered very firm,             attractively colored. Fruits are excellent for uncooked             consumption, crunchy or at full maturity. Due to their flesh             quality, firmness and density, they can also be             commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or             fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for             both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than             one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well             more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They             have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the             tree after growth completion and after harvesting without             alteration.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. Fruits of the new             nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or             skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and             packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4 weeks shipping             at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. Under our climatic conditions,             favourable to powdery mildew, and with few treatments, the             present variety has not been shown to be very sensitive to             powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to             its thick and strong skin. No bacteriostatic substances were             applied, and no symptom was observed. Although the new             variety of nectarine tree possesses the described             characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions             prevailing near the town of Elne, France, it should be             understood that variations of the usual magnitude and             characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,             fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural             management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage of red blush. 